10 Minutes To Better Pen Making - Deer Antler Prep - Mark Dreyer

This one was based on a few people asking me about how I prep deer antler for turning. We explore antler selection, layout, drilling and a little on finishing. The goal is to maximize the antler while getting the best blanks we can and little issues. Hope this one helps.
In this series of videos, I plan to take individual topics and explore them and discuss them 10 minutes at a time. I will use my 25 years as a pen maker to give tips and tricks on the topic. Each topic will only be 10 minutes. We will explore everything from kit and blank selection, to drilling, to turning and turning tools, finishing, and marketing and sales.
If there is a topic you would like to see discussed, please leave me a comment. Thanks.
Sponsor: Exotic Blanks - www.exoticblanks.com/
Music: www.bensound.com/royalty-free

Пікірлер: 24

  • @lawrencealdridge-yk6dm
    @lawrencealdridge-yk6dm Жыл бұрын

    I REALLY ENJOY THE INSTRUCTION!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • @bjscrafts7676
    @bjscrafts76762 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the video, Mark. I've ruined countless antler blanks by drilling out the sides. Just finished one using your method and it came out perfect! I enjoy all your videos, keep them coming.

  • @stevehood10
    @stevehood10 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the video, that's a nice technique I can use that for mis shaped timber blanks too.

  • @jamesschrum8924
    @jamesschrum89243 жыл бұрын

    Great video.... I have made 2 and was never satisfied. You have taught me a great way and I will have to try again. Thanks!

  • @toolchuck
    @toolchuck3 жыл бұрын

    I really enjoy trying your tips and techniques as many of them have now become standard practice for me. I also find myself dropping your name in conversations on other sites as to who one can go to, to learn from and build their pen turning skills. Thanks Mark!

  • @markdreyer2865

    @markdreyer2865

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the kind words and the pr. I sincerely appreciate it. My goal is to just give my experience and hope it facilitates thoughts and conversation. Thanks - I appreciate it.

  • @toolchuck

    @toolchuck

    3 жыл бұрын

    @Mark Dreyer Mark, your more than welcome, it is well deserved. One of my favorite tips is not drilling through the blank. So simple, yet so remarkably effective.

  • @tututrip3088
    @tututrip30883 жыл бұрын

    Wish I would have watched this before I ruined a rack and one half to get a blank. I would use sanding disks to make edges somewhat square or try to shim up a side prior to drilling. When I work up courage again I will definitely drill it this way! I’m learning so much from you. Thanks!

  • @arthurbarber4091
    @arthurbarber40913 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the information on how to hold the blank. I turned one antler pen and it was a pain holding on to the blank.

  • @mikebraden9756
    @mikebraden97563 жыл бұрын

    I'll have to give this a try. Great video!

  • @exotictones1054
    @exotictones10543 жыл бұрын

    Good stuff.

  • @parboy183
    @parboy1833 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, very helpful! An idea for a new video: how to repair voids using CA. I've been struggling with this lately. I have been turning a lot of hybrid blanks with spruce cone/alumilite and having to fill a few voids/holes around the spruce cone. Thanks!

  • @markdreyer2865
    @markdreyer28653 жыл бұрын

    Locking Soft-Grip Pliers for Pen Disassembly - www.exoticblanks.com/locking-soft-grip-pliers-for-pen-dissembly.html

  • @kevinkohler9440
    @kevinkohler94403 жыл бұрын

    Well you talked me into buying the pen assembly disassembly tool . As I was making all the mistakes you were talking about. Thank I love that tool.what I’m thinking of buying is a tool system to sharpen my lathe tool any suggestions?

  • @markdreyer2865

    @markdreyer2865

    3 жыл бұрын

    For my HSS tools I use two systems. The Oneway Wolverine system would be my first choice. Consistent sharpening every time. Specifically the Vari-grind. I also have a Tormek from years ago and I purchased the Tormek Converter Plus Accessories for Wolverine Jig. This allows me to use all the jigs and attachments I had from the Tormek. Both systems are good. If you go the Wolverine on a slow speed grinder - moving to a CBN wheel is a good idea. As hard as this sounds once I moved to CBN wheels on my grinder I actually enjoy grinding. Hope this helps - let me know if you need more information. And thanks for watching.

  • @stephenhooper4671
    @stephenhooper4671 Жыл бұрын

    What are your thoughts on stabilizing or dying the antler before turning?

  • @markdreyer2865

    @markdreyer2865

    Жыл бұрын

    Sorry for the delay _ I was demoing in New York. I have never needed to stabilize the antler. Depending on the antler I may not even put a finish on (just buff it). As for the rest - a simple GluBoost finish (no stabilization). I have never dyed the antler but it is a great thought. If you do it post it on my FaceBook "10 Minutes To Better Pen Making" group - I would love to see them. Thanks for watching.

  • @dougrobins8291
    @dougrobins82913 жыл бұрын

    Could you use the pen bushings to align the drill center point, and include some of the rough part of the antler without blowing through when turning?

  • @markdreyer2865

    @markdreyer2865

    3 жыл бұрын

    Sounds like a good idea. That gives you a better idea of how much you can keep. I will try it. If you do let me know how it goes. I will flip the bushings over on the end and use an awl to mark the center (which is what I believe you are suggesting). Let me know if you try it. Thanks.

  • @lawrencealdridge-yk6dm
    @lawrencealdridge-yk6dm Жыл бұрын

    IS THIS A MORE ADVANCED TECHNIQUE???????????

  • @markdreyer2865

    @markdreyer2865

    Жыл бұрын

    Lawrence - first and foremost - thanks for watching. I am a little confused, so please help me out. With a little practice this one is actually easy. I make dozens of deer antler pens a year - limited only my desire to handle the smell. As mentioned please wear a mask for this one. If you start with both sides engaged you will have no issues at all.

  • @lawrencealdridge-yk6dm

    @lawrencealdridge-yk6dm

    Жыл бұрын

    @@markdreyer2865 MR IM A SLOW LEARNER IM ALSO IN THE AUTISTIC SPECSTRUM AN SOME THINGS I SEE AN SOME TIMES I HAVE TO WATCH MULRIPLE TIMES IT THIS IS JUST CONFUSING ME A LITTLE BIT THIS IM STILL TRYING TO LEARN IVE BEEN WATCHING YOUR VIDEOS FOR WHILE JUST TO COMFORNTABLE LEVELK TO ASK QUESTIONS THANK YOU YOUR PACEITANCE

  • @brandonculver2403
    @brandonculver24036 ай бұрын

    Sure, do waste a lot of material with your extremely over exaggerated eighth in cuts that are closer to half of an inch. Why not just set it up in a vise on the drill press? It works great for me 100% of the time and is way more stable. I also just use high-speed steel tools as long as they are sharp they work just fine. As far as the angels you get when you cut off the pieces from the main antler a belt or disc sander work just fine at squaring the ends up use the brass tube as the guide its pretty straight and square you have to glue it in anyway. Why not use it?

  • @markdreyer2865

    @markdreyer2865

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the suggestions. As for your technique - if it works for you then do it. The point of my channel is to give a starting point. Many people do not own a separate drill press as suggested. If you have the extra tool - please use it. The issue I found with the drill press is centering the antler on thin pieces. For me drilling on the lathe works easier for thin and thick pieces, and I like to use the same technique for all. As for the belt sander or disk sander - once again I tried to keep it with the same tools. If it works for you - do it. And once again thanks for the suggestions Either way thanks for watching and thanks for the suggestions for anyone else watching.